Driving and operating127Driving and
operatingDriving hints ............................... 127
Driving economically ...............127
Control of the vehicle ...............128
Steering ................................... 128
Starting and operating ...............129
New vehicle running-in ............129
Ignition switch positions ...........129
Power button ........................... 129
Starting the engine ..................131
Idle speed control ....................132
Vehicle shutdown ....................132
Overrun cut-off ........................ 133
Stop-start system ....................133
Parking .................................... 136
Engine exhaust .......................... 136
Diesel particle filter ..................136
Catalytic converter ...................137
AdBlue ..................................... 137
Manual transmission ..................143
Brakes ........................................ 144
Antilock brake system .............144
Parking brake .......................... 145Brake assist............................. 145
Hill start assist ......................... 145
Ride control systems .................146
Traction Control system ..........146
Electronic stability program .....147
Driver assistance systems .........149
Cruise control .......................... 149
Speed limiter ........................... 152
Parking assist .......................... 152
Rear view camera ...................154
Fuel ............................................ 156
Fuel for diesel engines ............156
Refuelling ................................ 157
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions .............................. 158
Trailer hitch ................................ 159
General information .................159
Driving characteristics and towing tips .............................. 159
Trailer towing ........................... 159
Trailer stability assist ...............160Driving hints
Driving economically
ECO mode
ECO mode is a function that
optimises fuel consumption. It affects engine power and torque,
acceleration, gear shift indication,
heating, air conditioning and electrical consumers.
Activation
Press ECO. Control indicator ECO
illuminates in the instrument cluster when activated.
146Driving and operatingfor a further two seconds. The brakesrelease automatically as soon as the
vehicle begins to accelerate.Caution
The Hill start assist cannot
completely prevent vehicle
movement in all situations
(extremely steep gradients, etc.).
If necessary, depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling forwards or backwards.
The Hill start assist is not active
during an Autostop. Stop-start system 3 133.
Ride control systems
Traction Control system The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component part of the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP® Plus
) which
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 100.
When TC is active b flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 97.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 160.
Enhanced Traction function
Driving and operating147If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, the Traction control system
(TC) can be deactivated to enhance
traction:
Press Ø on the instrument panel.
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 100.
When vehicle speed reaches 30 mph, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to TC operation.
Control indicator Ø extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
TC is reactivated by pressing Ø
again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 97 illuminates together
with F 3 96 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 100.
TC is not operational. Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 101.
Electronic stability program The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the
type of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and thewheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding
message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 100.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action b
flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 97.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 160.
Driving and operating159Trailer hitch
General information
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment. Only use
towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle.
Driving characteristics and towing tips
In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements. For trailers with
low driving stability the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 50 mph must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 216.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sealevel. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 204.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load, especially in the case of heavy trailers. The
vertical coupling load should never
fall below 25 kg.
160Driving and operatingIn the case of trailer loads of
1200 kg or more, the vertical coupling load should not be less than 50 kg.
Rear axle load When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded (including all occupants), the permissible rear
axle load (see identification plate or
vehicle documents) must not be
exceeded.
Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is selectively braked until the snaking
ceases. While the system is working, keep steering wheel as still as
possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP® Plus
) 3 147.
Vehicle care181No.Circuit1Battery backup (with electronic
key system)2Adaptations3Adaptations4Vehicle battery (with electronic key system)5Additional heating and ventila‐
tion / Air conditioning system6Supplementary heating and
ventilation system7Electric exterior mirrors / Addi‐
tional adaptations8Heated exterior mirrors9Radio / Multimedia / Electric
exterior mirrors / Diagnostic
socket10Multimedia / Trailer hitch11Courtesy lights / Battery
discharge protectionNo.Circuit12Right-hand high beam / Left-
hand low beam / Sidelights /
Right-hand daytime running
light13Hazard warning flashers / Turn
and lane-change signals14Central locking15Left-hand high beam / Right-
hand low beam / Tail lights /
Left-hand daytime running light16Front fog lights / Rear fog lights /
Number plate lighting17Alarm / Horn / Lighting / Wiper18Instrument cluster19Heating and ventilation system20Rear window wiper / Wind‐
screen washer pump / Horn21General battery22Reversing lights23Brake switchNo.Circuit24Fuel injection / Starter25Airbag / Steering column lock26Passenger power window27Power steering28Brake lights29Battery backup (with electronic
key system)30Service display31Cigarette lighter / Power outlet32Heating and ventilation system33Brake lights / ABS / Immobiliser34Interior lighting / Air conditioning35Starting with electronic key
system36Rear window wiper37Warning chimes38Load compartment power outlet39Driver power window
Vehicle care185Trailer towingWhen towing a trailer with a fully
laden vehicle, the tyre pressure must
be increased by 20 kPa/0.2 bar
(3.0 psi) and the maximum speed
limited to 60 mph.
Trailer towing 3 159.
Tyre pressure monitoring
system
The tyre pressure monitoring system
uses radio and sensor technology to
check tyre pressure levels.Caution
Tyre pressure monitoring system
warns only about low tyre pressure condition and does not replace
regular tyre maintenance by the
driver.
All wheels must be equipped with pressure sensors and the tyres must
have the prescribed pressure.
Notice
In countries where the tyre pressure
monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle type approval.
The tyre pressure monitoring system
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the tyres and transmit tyre pressure
readings to a receiver located in the
vehicle.
Tyre pressure chart 3 216.
Low tyre pressure conditionA detected low tyre pressure
condition is indicated by illumination
of control indicator w 3 98 and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
If w illuminates, stop as soon as
possible and inflate the tyres as
recommended 3 216.
After inflating, some driving may be
required to update the tyre pressure
values in the system. During this time
w may illuminate.
If w illuminates at lower temperatures
and extinguishes after some driving,
this could be an indicator for
approaching a low tyre pressure
condition. Check tyre pressure of all
four tyres.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced
or increased, switch off ignition.
Only mount wheels with pressure
sensors, otherwise w flashes for
several seconds then illuminates
continuously together with control
indicator F 3 96 and a corresponding
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
Vehicle care197Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
Trailer hitch 3 159.
Appearance care
Exterior care
Locks The locks are lubricated at the factoryusing a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when absolutely necessary, as this has adegreasing effect and impairs lockfunction. After using a de-icing agent,
have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
Washing
The paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences, therefore wash your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, we recommend one with
textile brushes and a programme
without wax additives. Restrictions for
filmed or matt painted body parts or
decor tapes, see "Polishing and
waxing".
Never use a steam-jet or high-
pressure jet cleaner for the engine
compartment.Wax painted parts of the vehicle
regularly.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.
If using a vehicle wash, comply with
the vehicle wash manufacturer's
instructions. The windscreen wipers
and rear window wiper must be
switched off and the exterior mirrors
must be folded in. Remove antenna
and external accessories such as roof
racks etc.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,
make sure that the insides of the
wheel housings are also thoroughly
rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened
doors and the bonnet as well as the
areas they cover.
Clean bright metal mouldings with a
cleaning solution approved for
aluminium, to avoid damage.